Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Environmentalists to increase green canopy atop Chamundi Hill

To increase the green cover of the Chamundi Hill and also to provide shade for the climbers of the hill from the heat of the blazing sun, an NGO ';Seva'; to plant saplings on either side of the footsteps.

Nearly 400 odd volunteers will join together this Sunday (May 31st) to plant 1008 saplings of different varieties of trees on either sides of the 1008 steps leadingto the top of the hill.

Saplings of trees chosen to grow on either sides of footsteps are those which bear either fruits or flowers, along with those that grows wide branches offering shade. Peepal tree, Calotropis gigantea (Ekka), Millettia pinnata (Honge); Neem Tree, Indian Cork Tree (Akash Mallige), Amla tree (Nellikai), Nerale Tree (Jamun fruit tree) and other sacred tress will be planted.';As monsoons is expected to last for 3 months, there is no need to water theseplants. But with the onset of Summer they are thinking of sending water bottles with the regular climbers asking them to pour water on these saplings,'; says the volunteers who are very confident of nurturing the saplings till they become trees.

';When they become full grown trees, they will bear fruits and flowers which will be consumed by birds and other small creatures like squirrel etc, in addition to the trees providing a natural shade for the climbers from sun and shelter from rain. We feel happy for our contribution for environment conservation,'; they added.

NGO Founder NB Aradhya, brainchild behind the project, talking to Express said that ';when the proposal to provide a overhead canopy running along the entire length of steps was shelved, this tree planting idea got into my mind. ChamundiHills which attracts lacks of visitors every year need to have a good green cover.';';Regular climbers of the hills, environmentalists and devotees of Goddess Chamundi who frequent the temple by climbing steps will be involved in the project. Based on the feedback received from them, we plan to launch a similarprogramme that covers the whole of Chamundi Hill,'; he added.

';It is estimated that it will cost Rs 20 to dig a pit and plant the sapling. RFO Sathish of the Forest Department Mysore Division and DFO Kari Kalan also of Mysore Division have agreed to provide all the saplings required free of cost. We are confident of mobilizing more number of people for this movement, all with the intention to save our Chamundi Hills, with the Government';s involvement,'; he added.Citizen Venkatesh said: ';Its good move good number of volunteers are comingforward to enhance the beauty of Chamundi Hill by cleaning plastic, garbage and planting trees. The green cover will also reduce the fatigue of the steps climbers. Every citizens should contribute for the development and clean maintenance of the Hill.';